The Heroine of Havisham Hall - Part 2

"So you must be Miss Havisham's driver.  Do come in" said Rose.  "I believe Elizabeth is just saying good-bye to her mother, I'm sure she won't be long.   She's so looking forward to her time at Havisham Hall..."
Just then, footsteps could be heard from inside the house - first Mrs Swanson's soft careful steps, then the clacking of poor Jack's high heels as the delicate, nervous teenager reluctantly followed his mother out towards the front door, dressed up to the nines like a young secretary on her way to her first job interview in a smart city office.
But Jack was not on his way to any office - he was about to be whisked away, in his transparent peach bow blouse (clearly showing off the intricate lace on his expensive bra) and his soft, taffeta pleated skirt, to spend a whole two weeks at the country house of this strange, and evidently very rich, Miss Havisham.
How Jack wished his mother was not going away right now.  Surely she could have delayed her meetings with the drama school architects for a week or two, so that he could get back to some sort of normality without being constantly forced into feminine finery and lace lingerie over the dreaded breastforms which Rose had again affixed to his chest - this time, he felt sure, with an additional application of the adhesive which was so difficult to remove.
Yes, he realized that Miss Havisham had liked him so much when they met recently at Mrs Quinn's, that she couldn't wait to have him come and stay with her, and start grooming him as her personal assistant and companion.  But Miss Havisham was not his mother, and, however much she doted on him, it was never going to be anything like being at home.
"Now make sure you're good while I'm away", his mother was saying, while Miss Havisham's rather impatient driver was picking up the luggage.  "Oh thank you, yes" said Mrs Swanson, "yes, that is his, I mean her case, yes that's all I think, just her purse - yes, you've got that haven't you... er, Elizabeth.  Yes, please make sure you do everything you can to help, it's so kind of Miss Havisham to have you - and at such short notice too."
Gail Swanson held her feminised son for a few tender moments, giving him the kind of gentle, lingering embrace known only to loving mothers and daughters.  Then, with tears on both their cheeks, Jack stepped reluctantly away and made for the limousine.
"No, not in the back, Elizabeth" called out the driver, "you come in the front beside me."   And, as she drove away, "we can't have our new maid arrive at the Hall as though she's one of Madam's personal friends, now can we?"

"New maid?" said a startled Jack.  "Surely you know I've been asked to join Miss Havisham as her personal companion."
"No, I think not, young lady.  That's what Madam says to all the bright young things she invites to join her household.  And by the way, my name is Miss Rodriguez, and you'll meet all the other domestic staff tonight when you all sit down for your evening meal in the kitchen.  I won't be joining you tonight as I will have to take Madam straight out to her friends for their bridge evening.  We're already running late so I'll drop you at the staff entrance as soon as we arrive at the Hall."
Jack, now almost moved to tears again, was silenced by this response.   Surely they wouldn't take him into the kitchen to become one of the maids - he was supposed to be visiting Miss Havisham personally, to become her assistant.
"I don't know what position they've arranged for you" Miss Rodriguez continued "but I'm sure it will be something menial to start with."    She glanced across at the beautifully attired young lady.  "And you won't be needing those posh clothes here, that's for sure - except perhaps for going home in at Christmas and Easter, if you're allowed home, that is."
This was getting worse and worse for Jack.   Fighting back more tears, he said "But I'm only here for two weeks Miss, to live with Miss Havisham.  I think there's been a dreadful misunderstanding."
"No, my dear, no misunderstandings.  All our housemaids are recruited personally by Madam and told they'll become her personal companion, but you all have to start as maids.  Mind you, they're not all as pretty as you - if you shape up well, and obey all the rules, I guess you'll make it into Madam's own little circle after a few months.
"Rules?"   Jack wondered what was coming next.   Was he back at school again?   This really was becoming a nightmare.
"Oh, mainly just things like the dress code, the servants etiquette and pecking order, punctuality and so on."   Madam prides herself on having immaculate household staff, everybody keeping their uniform spotless and in pristine condition at all times.   You'll enjoy it, you wait and see, I only get to wear these outdoor things but you maids - you all look a picture in your beautiful taffeta dresses and aprons - and those sweet little frilly caps.   Quite a picture."
"And by the way" she went on. "Don't ever let anyone hear you referring to Madam by her name.  Only Miss Craftey, the housekeeper, is allowed that privilege, and she's been here since Madam was a girl.  No, to you, and all the other maids, Madam is Madam, whenever you have reason to refer to her for some reason."
Jack fell totally silent again and, for the rest of the journey, was left pondering his fate.   After a few more minutes, Jack noticed a discreet sign, saying simply "Havisham Hall" - typically understated in the manner of the English aristocracy.   They took a turn leading down the mile-long drive, straight to the staff entrance.  This, Jack noticed, was called "Tradesmen's Entrance".  
"Now, here we are, Elizabeth.  I'm running very late for Madam, so I'll leave you to jump out as soon as we come to a halt and then I can drive straight round for Madam."
With that, Miss Havisham's favourite limousine came to a screeching halt, right outside the staff entrance, and Jack was obliged to disembark hastily.   "Just ring the bell and someone will let you in" called Miss Rodriguez to him, as she sped off towards the Hall's imposing main entrance.
Only then did Jack realise he had left his case in the back of the limousine.  He pushed the bell, wondering to himself whether things could get any worse for him.  He was about to discover they could.

(to be continued)